Darren Ferguson will have to draw on every ounce of managerial acumen passed down the family line if he is to haul Peterborough out of the hole they have recently dug for themselves.

Sir Alex's son has certainly got his work cut out transforming the fortunes of a team reeling on the back of eight successive league defeats. The 1,200 Peterborough fans who travelled to Lincoln gave the new manager a rousing reception and the players responded with a performance that provides Ferguson Jr with some hope that a revival is waiting to happen.

A lack of confidence, however, is holding Peterborough back and a glaring inability to defend at set-pieces is also a problem Ferguson needs to address. "We didn't look like a team that has lost eight games on the bounce," mused Ferguson after Mark Stallard's 71st-minute goal had spoiled his big day. "But we cannot afford to keep giving goals away from set-plays. We also need to restore some belief and confidence in the players because I'm sure that this squad, with a couple of additions, is good enough to turn our season around."

Suited and booted and occupying a stand seat for the first 40 minutes, with camera lenses pointing at him from all directions, Ferguson was a picture of calm even when things were going against his side late on. The attention of the media afterwards, though, did seem to catch him off guard. For a time. But he was happy to talk about the task ahead, and the advice he will seek from you know who.

"Of course, I will talk to dad but it is important to take advice from as many people as possible because I'm learning a new trade. But I am my own man and I will do things my own way to try and get the best out of the players we have got."

One of Ferguson's first big decisions was to leave himself out of the playing squad, and he hinted strongly after the game that trying to be a player and manager was possibly not the best way forward: "I have spoken to three or four people who have played and managed and they have all said it is very difficult to combine the two so, in terms of playing, that will probably be it for me. I want to concentrate on the management side.

"But I am not frightened by the challenge and, from day one, I have felt that there are enough good players at this club who can change our fortunes."

With no managerial experience behind him, Ferguson's appointment was greeted with surprise at London Road. The former chairman Barry Fry's close friendship with Sir Alex was said to be the decisive factor.

Darren's arrival certainly caught the club's players on the hop. The striker Simon Yeo admitted: "Yes, it was a shock and a move we didn't expect. After all, most of us had played against Darren recently so it was strange when he came in as gaffer.

"I was a bit worried because the last time I played against him I was calling him all the names under the sun, so I thought that might go against me. Hopefully not! Seriously though, he has made a good impression and has already laid his own laws down." Who does that remind you of?